I am sorry to hear that your STUDER A80 was broken to pieces by Chinese custom.
This year I had brought an A810 and an A807 in two seperate airline travels from U.S. back to Taiwan, no problem.
I disassembled several heavy parts so that the machine can be fited in a personal luggage.
The size and weight of A80 was totally different story, and the destination also make a difference.
Fortunately it is not a STUDER A800! Next time break A800 to individual parts and re-assemble in China.